What does 'education' mean in relation to infants and toddlers? A traditional pedagogical approach will look for an answer within the confines of an adult's actions directed towards a child. According to this approach, the social and cognitive development of young children will flourish only as a result of their interactions with an adult. However, a very different view has emerged from research into early child development.
A young child's social and cognitive processes are practised and consolidated as a result of her interactions with a complex social and physical environment. The behaviour and activities of other people, peers or adults are only one highly important component of this environment. Educators of very young children should focus on supporting the child to engage with, explore and control her environment, interact with both adults and peers and share meanings with them.
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